July 2026 Visa Bulletin: EB-2 India and EB-5 Unreserved India Become “Unavailable”

The U.S. Department of State’s Visa Bulletin for July 2026 includes an important update for employment-based applicants who are “chargeable” to India (generally, those born in India): EB-2 India and EB-5 Unreserved India are listed as “U” on the Final Action Dates chart.

When a category is shown as “U” (often described as *unauthorized* or *unavailable*), it means immigrant visa numbers are not available for issuance in that category at that time. Practically, it can pause final green card approvals (and, for consular cases, visa issuance) until the category becomes available again.

Quick refresher: the two main employment-based charts

Each month, the bulletin includes two key charts for employment-based categories:

• Final Action Dates: when a green card can actually be approved/issued.
• Dates for Filing: when people may be allowed to submit paperwork (depending on what USCIS announces for that month).

The “U” designation discussed in this post appears on the Final Action Dates chart for India in EB-2 and EB-5 Unreserved.

What changed in July 2026

In the July 2026 bulletin’s employment-based Final Action Dates:

• EB-2 India is U.
• EB-5 Unreserved India is U.

Other categories (like EB-1 India and EB-3 India) still show specific cutoff dates, meaning they remain available (even if backlogged).

What this means for you

If you (or a family member) are waiting in an India chargeability category:

• Expect delays in final approval if your case depends on EB-2 India or EB-5 Unreserved India final action dates.
• Do not assume your case is denied. “Unavailable” is about visa-number availability, not a decision on your eligibility.
• Keep an eye on monthly updates. Categories can reopen or move when new visa numbers become available, especially at the start of a new fiscal year.

If you are filing from inside the U.S. (Adjustment of Status), it is also important to watch what chart USCIS allows for filing each month — that affects whether you can submit Form I-485, and when you can apply for an EAD and Advance Parole.

This post is general information, not legal advice.

We can help

Asal Immigration Services helps Columbus-area families understand the Visa Bulletin, compare charts to their priority dates, and plan next steps. If you want help reading your category or understanding timing, please contact us for a consultation. You can also check our forms and guides and resources for more information.